Opera Australia Presents RIGOLETTO, Now thru 5/10

An Australian premiere opens the season with a new production of Verdi's dark tale of seduction and intrigue, Rigoletto. There are some opera arias you just have to hear sung by the very best and inRigoletto you have the perfect opportunity. Italian opera star Gianluca Terranova will sing the memorable 'La donna è mobile' as the Duke in this stunning, broody new production. Recent Ringcycle standouts - Warwick Fyfe (in the title role) and Daniel Sumegi (as Sparafucile) - reunite, heading up a stellar cast.

Australia baritone Warwick Fyfe received broad acclaim as Alberich in The Melbourne Ring Cycle. Now he takes on Verdi's embittered court jester in a brand new production of Rigoletto, directed by Roger Hodgman. Rigoletto has its premiere season at Arts Centre Melbourne from today, 12 April to 10 May 2014.

Rigoletto is a dark story, one of jealously and revenge, where secrets are weapons and loved ones are best kept hidden away. Roger Hodgman is again teaming up with designer Richard Roberts after last season's Don Pasquale.

Rigoletto's stellar cast is sure to impress. Alongside Warwick Fyfe is Italian tenor Gianluca Terranova, who will claim one of the ultimate prizes in opera - to sing 'La donna e? mobile' as the infuriatingly debonair Duke, a role he has performed at La Scala and Arena di Verona. Russian soprano Irina Dubrovskaya makes her Australian debut as Rigoletto's daughter Gilda, having performed the role throughout Europe including the Phillharmonic Hall in Moscow. Australian bass baritone Daniel Sumgei, last in Melbourne for the Ring, returns to take on the role of the assassin Sparafucile.Maestro Renato Palumbo, one of the most important Verdi conductors of his generation, will wield the baton.

Performance informationL Evenings at 7.30pm April 12, 15, 17, 23, 29 May 2, 6, 8, 10 Saturday matinee at 1pm April 26

Running time: Approx 2hrs 30mins including a 20min interval Performed in Italian with English surtitles

State Theatre, Arts Centre, Melbourne

Bookings

Tickets from $59, Student Rush available at most performances $50 (plus transaction/handling fee)

Opera Australia Box Office: 03 9685 3700

www.opera.org.au

Arts Centre Melbourne: 1300 182 183

www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

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